AttractionEnglish Heritage

Reculver Towers and Roman Fort

Reculver, Kent

Twin medieval church towers on an eroding cliff above the Thames Estuary, with open clifftop grass and the Saxon Shore Way for your dog.

Reculver is a landmark you can see for miles and a lesson in coastal erosion. The twin 12th century towers of the ruined church dominate the skyline east of Herne Bay and have been maintained for centuries as a navigation marker for shipping, which is the only reason they still stand. Beneath and around them are the remains of one of the earliest Roman forts of the Saxon Shore chain, and the site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery founded in 669. Much has already gone into the sea.

Whilst you take in the towers and the surviving fort walls, your dog gets a genuinely good walk rather than a monument stop: open clifftop grass with the Thames Estuary in front, and the Saxon Shore Way and coastal path running in both directions, with beach access below at low tide.

Free and open. The site has no published dog policy. The cliff edge is actively eroding and unfenced in places, so keep your dog on a lead near the drop. The wider Reculver Country Park is a nature reserve with ground nesting birds, so leads matter in spring and summer. Parking and a pub are close by.

At a Glance

Site Type: Roman Site
Entry: Free
Members: Free for English Heritage members

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Planning Your Visit

Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reculver Towers and Roman Fort dog friendly?
Reculver is a great spot to bring your dog — the site is free and open, with no published dog policy restricting access. Beyond the towers and fort walls themselves, there's open clifftop grass, the Saxon Shore Way running in both directions, and beach access below at low tide, so your dog gets a proper walk rather than just a monument stop.
Are dogs allowed at Reculver Towers and Roman Fort year round?
Yes, you can visit with your dog throughout the year. That said, the wider Reculver Country Park is a nature reserve, and leads are particularly important in spring and summer when ground nesting birds are present — worth bearing in mind when planning your visit.
What should I know before visiting Reculver Towers and Roman Fort with my dog?
The cliff edge here is actively eroding and unfenced in places, so it's important to keep your dog on a lead near the drop — this isn't a site where you'd want them roaming freely close to the edge. Leads are also advisable in the surrounding country park during spring and summer because of ground nesting birds. On the practical side, parking and a pub are close by, which makes it an easy and rewarding stop.

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Reculver Lane

Reculver CT6 6SS

51.3791, 1.2019

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What’s Nearby?

Walk0.1 mi away

Reculver Coastal Walk, Herne Bay

Kent

Dog Friendly Rating:8/10

Easy clifftop and seawall walk to the iconic Reculver Towers, a dog friendly Kent coastal classic with sweeping sea views and plenty of off lead space.

View Listing9.7 km · 2 hr 30 min · Easy